Complete guide to fixing the Virtual Disk Manager cannot find the file specified error in Windows

The “Virtual Disk Manager cannot find the file specified” error in Windows can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to manage or partition your drives. Whether you’re using Disk Management or Diskpart in Command Prompt, encountering this error halts your progress. It’s crucial to understand what causes this issue and how you can resolve it successfully without risking data loss or system instability. This guide aims to offer a complete, reliable solution to help you get back in control of your storage devices.

TL;DR

If you’re receiving the “Virtual Disk Manager cannot find the file specified” error, it’s often due to driver issues, incorrect disk configurations, or corrupted system files. Simple solutions include checking disk connections, initializing the drive using Diskpart, and updating drivers. If those don’t work, more advanced steps like checking system logs, modifying registry settings, or performing a system file check may be necessary. Follow this step-by-step guide to diagnose and fix the issue reliably and safely.

What Causes the Error?

Understanding the causes of this error is the first step to resolving it. Common reasons include:

• Disconnected or faulty hardware: The disk may not be properly connected or may be physically damaged.
• Driver conflicts or corruption: Outdated or incompatible drivers can hinder disk recognition.
• File system corruption: Critical disk structure files may be corrupted or missing.
• Incorrect storage pool configurations: When using Storage Spaces or RAID, misconfigured volumes can throw this error.
• Permissions issues or services not running: Certain Windows services necessary for Disk Management might be stopped or misconfigured.

Step-by-Step Fixes

1. Verify Disk Connections

First, make sure the disk is properly connected to your computer. If it’s an external drive:

• Try connecting it to a different USB port.
• Use a different USB cable.
• Test it on another computer to rule out hardware failure.

If it’s an internal drive:

• Power off the PC and check both SATA and power connectors.
• Ensure it’s securely connected to the motherboard and power supply.

2. Run Diskpart and Use ‘List’ Command

Sometimes Disk Management might fail while Diskpart in Command Prompt gives you more detailed feedback.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Type diskpart and hit Enter.
3. Use the following commands:
   • list disk – Lists all available disks.
   • list volume – Lists all volumes, including hidden or unallocated ones.
4. If you don’t see your disk or get the error, it may not be initialized or reachable due to driver issues.

3. Update or Reinstall Disk Drivers

Driver conflicts are a common source of Virtual Disk Manager errors. Here’s how to address them:

1. Right-click on Start and open Device Manager.
2. Expand the section labeled Disk drives.
3. Right-click on the trouble device and choose Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
5. If updating fails, uninstall the device, restart Windows, and let Plug and Play reinstall it.

4. Enable and Restart Virtual Disk Service

The Virtual Disk Service (VDS) must be running for Disk Management to function correctly:

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Find the service named Virtual Disk.
3. Right-click and choose Start if it’s stopped.
4. Double-click the service name, set the Startup type to Automatic, and click OK.

5. Check Disk for Errors

If the segments of the disk are corrupted or unreadable, use the Check Disk tool:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type: chkdsk X: /f /r (Replace X with your actual drive letter.)
3. Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete.

This command will find and attempt to fix bad sectors, logical errors, and more.

6. Scan for Missing System Files

If system files necessary for disk management are missing or corrupted:

1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type: sfc /scannow
3. Let the scan complete and restart your system afterwards.

If the File System Checker tool finds errors it can’t fix, follow up with:

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

7. Initialize the Disk Manually

Sometimes, the disk isn’t initialized yet, causing errors when Windows tries to access it.

1. Open Disk Management by typing diskmgmt.msc in Run dialog.
2. If prompted to initialize disk, choose GPT (for large disks) or MBR (for older systems).
3. If you’re not prompted, right-click the unallocated disk area and choose Initialize.

8. Investigate Windows Event Logs

To dig deeper into system errors related to disks:

1. Open Event Viewer by typing it into the Start Menu.
2. Navigate to Windows Logs > System.
3. Look for warnings or errors related to Disk or Volsnap.
4. Double-click the entries to read the detailed info which may help pinpoint the issue.

9. Modify Registry Settings (Advanced Fix)

Caution: This step is recommended for advanced users due to the risks of editing the Windows Registry.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, hit Enter.
2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices

3. Right-click and export a backup first.
4. Look through the keys and delete any ghost or duplicate entries that might be conflicting with your disk.
5. Restart the system.

10. Reset BIOS or Check BIOS Settings

If you’re working with internal drives, make sure your BIOS recognizes the disk:

• Restart the computer and enter BIOS setup (usually Del or F2 key).
• Check if your disk is listed under connected SATA or NVMe drives.
• If not, reconfigure it or reset BIOS to default settings.

Conclusion

The “Virtual Disk Manager cannot find the file specified” error may appear tricky at first, but it’s generally solvable with some methodical troubleshooting. Whether the cause is a loose cable, a corrupted system file, or outdated drivers, the solutions outlined above will cover nearly all common scenarios. Begin with the simplest checks—physical connections and service status—and work your way up to advanced fixes like registry edits or system file scans.

Staying diligent with system updates, disk health monitoring, and proper device handling can prevent such issues from recurring. And remember—always back up your data regularly. Errors like this often expose broader hardware or software issues, and prevention is always better than data recovery.